YOUR PRESENCE IS NEEDED!
WHAT: To join the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) in protesting an event sponsored by the Orthodox Union, at which many exotic animals, including quail, red deer, fleishig eggs (unlaid eggs found inside a chicken after slaughter), shibuta (a fish), bison, udder and more will be eaten at a15 course meal. The event will also include a discussion of whether other exotic animals like giraffe, swan, peacock, and buffalo are kosher and can be eaten, as well.
WHEN: Sunday, August 5th
5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
WHERE: Prime Grill Restaurant
421 N. Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA
WHY: The Orthodox Union's event violates fundamental Jewish mandates to treat animals compassionately, preserve our health, protect the environment, conserve natural resources and help hungry people. Please see the bottom of this page for a more detailed explanation.
Please tell others who live in the Los Angeles area.
Contact in Los Angeles, especially if you have any suggestions concerning getting media coverage of the event: Janine Bransome on (310) 358-9941, a11massage@aol.com
Please also send protest letters to the OU:
by e-mail: kleina@ou.org
by regular mail:
OU West Coast Headquarters
9831 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Books by JVNA's President, Richard Schwartz, Judaism and Vegetarianism and Judaism and Global Survival can be ordered from CHAI, either online at www.chai-online.org (click on Shop at CHAI) or by mail at CHAI, POB 3341, Alexandria, VA 22302.
WHY PROTEST THE OU EVENT?
1. Judaism requires us to preserve our health and our lives. Numerous scientific studies have shown that animal-based diets cause heart disease, stroke, many forms of cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases.
2. Judaism forbids causing unnecessary pain to animals. Most farm animals - including those bred for kosher consumers - are raised on "factory farms" where they live in cramped, confined spaces, and are often drugged, mutilated, and denied fresh air, sunlight, exercise, and any enjoyment of life before they are slaughtered and eaten.
3. Judaism teaches that "the earth is the Lord's" (Psalm 24:1) and that we are to be God's partners and co-workers in preserving it. Modern intensive livestock agriculture contributes substantially to global warming, soil erosion and depletion, air and water pollution, overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the destruction of tropical rain forests and other habitats, and other environmental damage.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's recently issued, lengthy investigative report, “Livestock's Long Shadow,” found that animal-based agriculture causes more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transportation on the planet combined.
The report projects that the number of farmed animals will double by the middle of the century, which will counteract all reductions in greenhouse gases achieved by improving fuel and machinery efficiencies and other positive changes.
Our planet is imperiled as never before. We must all do everything we can to reduce the threat of extinction global warming presents.
4 Judaism mandates bal tashchit - not to waste or unnecessarily destroy anything of value, and not to use more than is needed to accomplish a purpose. Animal agriculture requires the wasteful use of grain, land, water, energy, and other resources.
5. Judaism stresses that we are to assist the poor and share our bread with the hungry. Over 70% of the grain grown in the United States is fed to animals destined for slaughter, while an estimated 20 million people worldwide starve to death each year.
6. Judaism teaches that we must seek and pursue peace and that violence results from unjust conditions. Animal-centered diets, by wasting valuable resources, help to perpetuate the widespread hunger and poverty that eventually lead to instability and war.
To learn more, see the Compassionate Living section of CHAI’s website: http://www.chai.org.il/en/compassion/food_overview.htm
The Orthodox Union has refused all requests for a respectful discussion and debate of these issues and their actions.
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United
Poultry Concerns, Inc.